WESTLAND, Mich. - The teachers union and district in the Wayne- Westland Community Schools have agreed to a 30-day contract that allowed classes to begin as planned while contract talks continue, according to the Detroit Free Press.

The 800-member union had voted to authorize a "job action"

because teachers were unhappy with the lack of bargaining progress, the Royal Oak Mirror reported.

Teacher strikes are illegal in Michigan, the Free Press reported, and both teachers and their union face penalties and fines should one occur.

The district had sent teachers a letter stating "whether the WWEA leadership calls an illegal strike, the board will expect all employees to report for work as scheduled," according to the Mirror.

A state mediator has been called in to assist with negotiations, the Mirror reported.